The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-27
THE POSTAL REVENUES.
REPORT OF THE THIRD ASSISTANT
POSTMASTER GENERAL.
Total Revenue Amounts to s4s, 1877, 600,
While the Expenditures Climb Up
to s59, 1893, 252-Great Increase in
Business-Re

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-The report OF
the Third Assistant Postmaster General
for the last fiscal year shows that the total
ordinary postal revenue of the year was
SiS, llS,273. The from money order
business was S7l0,336 making total rev.
onue OF SlS,S35G09 The total ex-
pcnditurcs for the year, including actual
and estimated outstanding liabilities,
amounted 10 S53, 1885, 252, showing a deficit
in the revenue of s., ,Gi3. In addition
TO this, there was certified to the Secretary
OF the Treasury for credit TO the Pacific
railroad company, in their accounts with
the government, being the amount
earned by them in carrying the mails,
Sl,lSI027. so that the total excess OF the
cost OF the postal service over its revenue
was s., 49,, $40.
The receipts Of the year were Ill per
cent. greater than those Of the previous
year; the increase OF expenditure was at II
ratio OF but "a per cent.
II these ratios should continue during
the current year, at its close the postal
service will bc practically again ON self
sustaining basis. SO heavy an increase in
revenue, however, says the report, is not
TO be reasonably expected. The estimate
is that the receipts will increase at a ratio
OF . per cent. during the current year and
at a ratio Of per cent. during the next, so
that by the end of the latter the depart
ments revenues and expenditures will not
be wide apart.
The special delivery system has made
considerable advance during the year, the
figures indicating an increase OF probably
81 per cent. over the previous year.
The recommendation is made in connec-
ton with the special delivery service that
investigation be started at once, 10 asccr-
tain whether the pneumatic tube system
now in successful operation in London,
Berlin and Paris-may not economically
be introduced into the great cities of this
country, for the benefit, not only Of special
delivery, but by an enlarged system Of
tubing, for the transmission OF all the
great mails between the postoilices and
the various postal and railroad stations.
The total value Of all stamped paper is
sued by the department during the year
was SiG,Gl0, ESQ, which is an increase over
the 'prcyious year Of nearly per cent.
The postage collected on second class
matter during the year was 81 2G2, 3iS,
which represents n weight OF over 5000
tons. This is an increase Of nearly 10 per
cent over the previous year.
Attention is called TO the sub-agency for
the distribution Of postal cards and stamped
envelopes, established during the year at
Chicago. This agency has not only worked
WELL but il has saved very considerable
amount 10 the government. Recommends
ton is made for two other similar agencies
nt 81 Louis and Atlanta.
Recommendation is made that in all
cases where oaths are required in the trans.
action OF postal business, postmasters are
authorized 10 administer them. Three i'm.
porlant recommendations are also made ~
10 the manner Of collecting postage on sec.
ond.class matter, and rs Ia abuses which
spring from defects in the present law.
The lirst Of these is that the postage on all
sccond.class matter shall bc paid blythe AZ.
tachmrnt oi adhesive stamps as IL required
for all other mail matter. the dcnomina
iiOns running from onc-eighth Of q cent In
the case OF single pieces 10 any required
amount for bulk matter.
The second il that only legitimate news
papers and periodicals be- admitted to IN,
second class rate Of postage. In othei
words. that certain books, which, IL i,
claimed, are in no sense periodicals except
that they profess 10 be issued az regular
periods such ~ the numerous series, II
hurics, ctc--bc admitted only az the thir,
class rate.
The tl.rl II that the number Of sampl,
copies Of second class matter 10 be- sent ou
with published matter be- limited. Man,
periodicals.. il is stated, which, under th,
law, now gain admitiancc as second elias
matter being enabled, by the privilege O
mailing sample copies, 20 defeat the Law
excluding publications issued for adverlis
ing purposes OF at q nominal price OF sui
sgTptiun.